Summerbranch is a new commission by Igloo that explores movement and stillness in nature. Using camouflage and other disguises, a person or a computer character can blend into a 'natural' environment captured and treated through the moving image. This installation uses the tools of the military-entertainment complex, computer gaming, motion capture, 3D environments and special effects to question what is truth and what is artifice in our attempts to reproduce nature. Through the creation of a computer generated virtual world, Summerbranch seeks to address this by the use of disguise in dance and movement. Igloo not only investigates the role of the 'real' in virtual environments but also that of the reproduction of nature in the history of art and particularly landscape work. Summerbranch radically subverts the well worn conventions and clichÈs favoured by producers creating games for commercial distribution. Summerbranch introduces a subtle and suprising new approach to deploying characters in a rural environment whilst still retaining references to the urban context which has been influential in informing the evolution of games.

Scan Director Helen Sloan`... it is a sensitive, beautiful, accessible and observant study of the forest environment.. and marks one of their strongest works to date...`

The Exhibit will be at Hal Todd Theater (studio theater), inside Hugh Gillis Hall, at San Fernando and S. 5th Sts. on San Jose State University campus. Hours are 1-7 pm, Aug. 7-13.